By: Dr, Harjinder Singh Dilgeer Professor of Sikh Studies

On January 16, 1986, the Bhindran Mchta Ta7tha started at and Path (continuous recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) in the ‘Periphery of Darbar Sahib. On January 19, 1986, agents of Surjit Barnala, under the guidance of his son Gagandeep (who ‘was guiding operations from the Circuit House), went to Darbar Sahib and tied to disrupt Akhand Path. They fired 200 rounds and occupied and plundered the office of Bhindran Mehta Jatha in Darbar Sahib. The following day the Sikhs expelled the occupants. The police entered Darbar Sahib to help the agents of Surjit Bamisla, The next day they scuffled again. ‘This situation came to a temporary halt when Gagandeep Bamala met with an ‘accident. On January 22, 1986, the SGPC, in order to avoid trouble, announced that the Bhindran Mehta Jatha could conduct Kar Sewa of the building of Akal Takht ‘Sahib, Baba Thakur Singh announced that &Sarbat Khalsa meeting shall be held at Akal Takht Sahib, although he had no right to calls meeting, Sarbar Khalsa is not a congregation, it is a meeting of representatives of all Sikh organizations and not all were approached for this meeting.

On January 26, 1986, thousands of Sikhs gathered before Akal Takht Sahib. The gathering was addressed by leaders of the Bhindran Mehta Jatha. Some resolutions, including the following, were passed from the platform: (1)Zail, Buts, Santa, Kirpal Sinh, Sahib Singh etc. were excommunicate from the Sikh Panth, (2) Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was “dissolved” and a five member Panthic ‘Committee was formed! To manage the ‘Sikkh shrines, The five members were: ‘Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, Bhai ‘Wassan Singh, Bhai Dhanna Singh, Bhai ‘Amur Singh and Bhai Gurdev Singh Usman. Bhai Jasbir Singh nephew of (Sani) Jarnail Singh was appointed Yathedar” of Akal Takht Sahib. In his absence, Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaonke was appointed as officiating Jathedar. Bhai Bakhshish Singh was appointed Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib. The same day the demolition of the building of Akal Takht Sahib was started by the Sikhs present there,

On January 28, 1986 the army took up positions on all building around Darbar Sohib complex. On January29, Tohra and Kirpal singh announced the holding of a Sarbat Khalsa gathering on February 16, 1986, at Akal Takht Sahib, Later, this gathering was transferred to Aanandpur Sahib. This gathering passed a resolution that the S.G.P.C. shall shortly take possession of Akal Takht Sahib: Badal warned ‘against seeking police help to dislodge Bhindran Mehta Jatha from Akal Takht ‘Sahib, The same day the foundation stone of the new building of Akal Takht Sahib ‘was laid by Baba Uttam Singh, Baba Tagtar Singh, Baba Diwan Singh, Baba Joginder Singh and Bhai Mohkam Singh.

On April 29, 1986, the leaders of the *Panthic Committee” called a press conference in the Sarai (inn) attached to Darbar Sahib Complex and announced the formation of a “Government of Khalistan” Five Ministers were named ‘but the names were not disclosed to the press. After the press conference, the lenders left Darbar Sahib for an undisclosed destination. The next day Suriit Barnala under instruction from Rajiv Gandhi, sent police into Darbar Sahib, This action was taken in order to justify the attack of Indira Gandhi on Darbar Sahib on June 4, 1984. The army captured Darbar Sahib and the whole of its complex. The police action took the life of one man, several were injured and all377 Sikhs, who were present (including Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaonke, the acting caretaker of Akal Takh Sahib), were arrested, The worship in Darbar Sahib ‘was disrupted. The army occupation continued until the end of May 1986. Later a “task force” was enrolled to control the shrines. After the arrest of Bhai Gurdev Singh, Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal became the acting caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib from April 30, 1986. ‘The attack on Darbar Sahib Complex was condemned by all Sikh organizations including Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Only Jagjit Arora, Kirpal Singh of Chief Khalsa Diwan etc. supported Bamala. Several ministers resigned Sukhjinder Singh disclosed to the press that Bamala, in a cabinet meeting, ha¢ disclosed that the members of the Panthic Committee held left Darbar Sahib Complex immediately after the declaration of the creation of a “Government”. Birnala had attacked Darbar Sahib under direct instructions from Rajiv Gandhi, Twenty seven members of the Panjab Legislative Assembly (MLAs) withdrew their support of Barnala Government and formed a ‘Separate Akali group in the Assembly, but Bamala continued to rule with the help of the Congress party. Surjit Minhas, speaker ‘of Assembly, dismissed several Sikh MLAs under the law of “floor crossing. ‘They were punished by Surjit Minhas for protesting against the attack on Darbar Sahib. On June 19, 1986, Sikh MLAs forcibly removed the turban of Minhas saying that he did not deserve to be called a Sikh, On August13, 1986, Sirdaar Kapur Singh, National Professor of Sikhism breathed his last.

On December 24, 1986 the SGPC removed Kirpal singh and Sahib singh from their positions as Granthis, Ragi Darshan ‘Singh was appointed as caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, The same day, Bhai Puran Singh was appointed as Head Granthi of Darbar Sahib. On January 23 1987, the SGPC, dismissed Harcharan Singh Mahaion, Lakha Singh and Pritam singh. Sawinder Singh, Jaswant Singh and Kashmir Singh were appointed in their places. This was the final exit of the five Granthis ‘who had collaborated with anti-Sikh forces since June 7, 1984.

On January 26, 1987, a gathering at Manji Sahib (in’ Darbar Sahib Complex) confirmed the appointment of the five priests. In this congregation, the resolution for Khalistan was also passed and the Panthic Committee reorganized. The new members were: Bhai was a Singh, Bhai Gurdev Singh, Bhai Udey Singh, Bhai Subeg Singh and Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. It was declared that Raagi Darshan Singh had been appointed to officiate Bhai Jasbir Singh as caretaker of ‘Akal Takht Sahib. A five member committee to assist caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, comprising Sirdar Jagdev Singh Khuddian, Bhai Manjit Singh Calcutta Dr. Harinder Singh, Bhai Ajaib Singh and Bhai Awtar Singh, was also appointed. The SGPC accepted all this because it to fight Rajiv Gandhi’s proxy, Sur Bamala, too. It was a clever move to collaborate with the freedom fighters (militants or Jujharoos).

On February 3, 1987, Akal Takht Sahib disbanded all Akali Dals and decided to form a United Akali Dal. Badal and Baba Joginder Singh submitted their resignations at Akal Takht Sahib. Sucjit Barnala, instead of resigning, sent a five member team to the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, Harbhajan Singh Sandhu, and the leader of the ‘Committee agreed to accept the order of Akal Takht Sahib. Six MLAs, including 9 Minister, left Barnala and accepted the ‘command of Akal Takht Sahib, On February 5, 1987, new constitution of Akal Dal was announced from Akal Takht Sahib. Sirdaar Simranjit Singh Moan was selected President. The Presidium of the Dal included Badal, Talwandi, Baba Joginder Singh, Thekedar Surjan Singh and Bhai Gajja Singh. The Council included Gurdev Singh Badal, Manjit Singh Calcutta, Major Narinder Singh, Prem Singh Lalpura, Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Harcharan Singh Rode, Sukhjinder Singh and Ujagar Singh Sekhwan. On February 6, 1987 the caretaker of Akal ‘Takht Sahib issued a new notice to the MLAs of Barala Dal and some declared their loyalty to Akal Takht Sahib. On February 8, Barnala refused to submit his resignation at Akal Takht Sahib. On February 9, Akal Takht Sahib declared him guilty. He was summoned on February 11 but he did not appear. Rachhpal Singh, of Delhi, too was summoned at Akal Takht Sahib, He, too failed to appear, Both of them were excommunicated from the Sikh Panth. Ragi Darshan Singh extended dates for MLAs twice but none chose to appear. Ragi did not take any action against them.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 19, 1995